22 vulnerable dog breeds that could disappear

Disappearing dogs?

Britain's Kennel Club declared the corgi, that most English of dog breeds, might be at risk of disappearing in the U.K. The little herders are still going strong in the United States, but there are many canine types whose numbers have dwindled. Here's a list of current and recent "vulnerable breeds" provided by Britain's Kennel Club.

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Bloodhound

It's hard to imagine that this police favorite ever dwindled in popularity, but back in 2013, the Kennel Club registered only 51 bloodhounds. The breed is now thought to be doing fine.

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Cardigan Welsh Corgi

This tiny body needs a lot of exercise and stimulation. Sadly, new registrations have fluctuated between only 56 to 108 in recent years.

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Dandie Dinmont Terrier

This well-coifed breed is thought to be named after a character in a novel. Only 105 were registered in 2013.

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Scottish Deerhound

Sure, it looks like a small horse, but this big breed is relatively tiny in number these days.

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Smooth Fox Terrier

Many other terrier breeds owe their existence to this ancestor, though Britain's Kennel Club says yearly registrations for the smooth fox terrier only number around 120.

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Gordon Setter

Considered vulnerable only a few years ago, this gorgeous dog was originally bred to hunt gamebirds.

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Irish Red and White Setter

Only 82 of these pretty dogs were registered by the Kennel Club in 2013, but determined breeders have kept the setters from going extinct so far.

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Irish Water Spaniel

One of the oldest of the spaniels, it is said to have a clown-like nature. Current registrations are only around 100 yearly.

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Irish Wolfhound

This very tall dog is said to be at risk because of a "bottleneck" in the gene pool.

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Kerry Blue Terrier

It's been described as an "unfashionable" breed, but not so endangered as some others in the terrier family.

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

This compact breed is said to be bouncing back from vulnerable status.

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Manchester Terrier

Nicknamed the "gentlemen's terrier," this dog is known for being an excellent ratter.

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Mastiff

This hard-working breed has slipped in yearly registrations from around 475 in 2005 to 139 in 2013.

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Miniature Bull Terrier

It's not surprising that this muscular breed needs a lot of training and love. Only 161 were registered in 2013.

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Norwich Terrier

Fans of the film Best in Show know this breed well. But in real life, new Kennel Club registrations have dipped to below 200 annually.

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Otterhound

Its origins are unknown, but this breed was developed to (yes, really) hunt otters. There are now only about 1,000 such dogs left in the world, making the otterhound the most endangered native breed in Britain.

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Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The dog of queens, this breed has seen dwindling numbers in the U.K., but it remains popular in the United States.

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Sealyham Terrier

With only 68 of these dogs registered in 2013, this pretty breed is considered threatened by more fanciful or exotic dog types.

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Skye Terrier

It's a cutie, but sadly, fewer than 20 were registered by Britain's Kennel Club in 2013.

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Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Here's a success story: This low-shedding breed has graduated from the list of vulnerable native breeds and is now thought to be doing well.

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Sussex Spaniel

A mere 55 of these dogs were registered with the British Kennel Club in 2013; as hunting dogs, they're the only breed to howl when they catch the scent of prey.

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Clumber Spaniel

Fewer than 300 new registrations yearly have placed this gentle, loyal hunter on the vulnerable list.